	US 12,470,287 B2
	Automated method for satellite conjunction assessment and collision avoidance
Siamak Hesar, Boulder, CO (US); and Araz Feyzi, Boulder, CO (US)
Assigned to Kayhan Space Corp., Boulder, CO (US)
Filed by Kayhan Space Corp., Boulder, CO (US)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/080,633.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/305,047, filed on Jan. 31, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/288,932, filed on Dec. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0188203 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. H04B 7/185 (2006.01)

CPC H04B 7/18519 (2013.01) [H04B 7/18513 (2013.01); H04B 7/18521 (2013.01)]

14 Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a conjunction data message representing a first conjunction between a first satellite and a second satellite including:

a set of conjunction parameters including:

a probability of collision; and

a separation distance between the first satellite and the second satellite;

a first set of satellite characteristics associated with the first satellite; and

a second set of satellite characteristics associated with the second satellite; and

in response to identifying the first satellite as maneuverable based on the first set of satellite characteristics, in response to identifying the second satellite as maneuverable based on the second set of satellite characteristics, and in response to the probability of collision exceeding a threshold probability of collision or the separation distance falling below a threshold separation distance:

notifying a first satellite operator associated with the first satellite of the first conjunction;

notifying a second satellite operator associated with the second satellite of the first conjunction;

accessing an agreement record for a set of satellite operators including the first satellite operator and the second satellite operator;

in response to detecting absence of agreement between the first operator and the second operator in the agreement record:

generating an operative agreement based on the first set of satellite characteristics and the second set of satellite characteristics, and

transmitting an agreement message to the first satellite operator and the second satellite operator, the agreement message including the operative agreement, and an acceptance element; and

in response to acceptance of the operative agreement by the first satellite operator and the second satellite operator according to the acceptance element:

generating a first avoidance plan for the first satellite based on the set of conjunction parameters, the first set of satellite characteristics, the second set of satellite characteristics, and the operative agreement, the first avoidance plan including a first set of avoidance maneuvers;

generating a second avoidance plan for the second satellite based on the set of conjunction parameters, the first set of satellite characteristics, the second set of satellite characteristics, the second avoidance plan including a second set of avoidance maneuvers;

transmitting the first avoidance plan to the first satellite operator; and

transmitting the second avoidance plan to the second satellite operator.